Fashion
UK-based Sosandar lifts revenue 15%, FY26 profit outlook on track
UK-based womenswear fashion brand Sosandar PLC has reported a revenue rise of 15 per cent year on year to £18.7 million (~$24.7 million), with own site sales jumping 28 per cent, for the six months ended September 30, 2025 (H1 FY26). Gross margin held steady at 62.2 per cent, reflecting the company’s continued focus on strategic margin improvement.
The retailer posted a loss before tax of £1.1 million (~$1.45 million), broadly in line with expectations, due to seasonal second-half profit weighting and the impact of its own store roll-out alongside an earlier M&S cyber incident.
Sosandar ended the period with £7.7 million in net cash, slightly higher compared with £7.3 million on March 31.
The business continues to perform strongly with its third-party partners, especially Next, where it ranks as a top-selling brand. The company also launched a licensed homeware range with Next in September, which has delivered a strong initial performance in line with expectations.
Physical retail stores continue to weigh on profitability while they mature, although Chelmsford and Marlow are reported to be progressing toward breakeven in their second year, Sosandar said in a release.
Recent trading in October and November has been in line with expectations, with the website delivering continued strong growth. Trading through M&S has resumed following its cyber disruption. Gross margin improved further to 67.2 per cent in the ongoing period, driven by higher intake margins on new season ranges.
“We are really pleased with how the business has performed over the past six months. During this period, we delivered a return to revenue growth, supported by strong momentum through our own website which remains a key driver of both sales and customer engagement, alongside a resilient gross margin,” Ali Hall and Julie Lavington, co-CEOs commented.
Cash has strengthened to £9.5 million as at November 22 following the seasonal uplift, and the firm has completed a capital reduction, buying back 5,000,000 shares held in treasury.
Sosandar said full-year outlook remains on track, reiterating revenue expectations of £43.6 million and profit before tax of £0.4 million for FY26.
“The Autumn/Winter season has delivered another robust trading performance, with customers continuing to respond positively to our unique collections across both occasion and everyday dressing. Looking forward, the foundations have been laid for sustainable, profitable, cash generative growth,” the co-CEOs said.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
As Bangladesh heads towards general election in February next year, the GED’s economic outlook is cautiously optimistic.
Deep structural weaknesses along with the political transition period could constrain economic momentum, Bangladesh’s Planning Commission recently said.
The economy could regain pace if the election leads to a clear political direction and reforms are carried out.
Election-related spending and possible disruptions may add further pressure on inflation and the foreign exchange market.
The update said the economy could regain pace if the election produces a clear political direction and the next government decisively undertakes long-delayed reforms, particularly in improving the business climate, stabilising the banking system and ensuring fiscal and energy security.
Without such reforms, the recovery may be short-lived, it noted.
Election-related spending and possible disruptions during the transition are expected to add further pressure on inflation and the foreign exchange market, complicating stabilisation efforts, domestic media reports cited the GED document as saying.
Overall inflation dropped to 8.17 per cent in October from 10.87 per cent a year earlier. Non-food inflation inched up to 9.13 per cent.
While bank deposits grew at nearly double-digit rates through August and September, private-sector credit growth fell to just 6.29 per cent—the lowest in at least four years and well below the central bank’s target of 7.2 per cent for fiscal 2025-26.
High lending rates, cautious bank behaviour and political uncertainty have depressed investment appetite. Meanwhile, government borrowing from commercial banks surged by 24.45 per cent in September, raising concerns about crowding out private borrowers, said the document.
Revenue collection in October this year fell short of the target by Tk 8,324 crore, achieving only 77.37 per cent of the month’s goal. All major revenue streams—import duties, domestic VAT, and income tax—underperformed.
Foreign exchange reserves improved significantly, rising from $24.35 billion in November 2024 to $32.34 billion in October 2025.
Export earnings remained volatile. Exports peaked in July at $4.77 billion, but suffered sharp declines in April and June.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
By
Reuters
Published
December 4, 2025
IKEA opened its first store in New Zealand on Thursday, entering its 64th market and marking the furniture retailer’s most distant outpost from its native Sweden. The long-awaited 34,000 square-metre (365,973 square foot) store at the Sylvia Park shopping centre in Auckland employs 500 people and is IKEA’s 505th store.
IKEA’s New Zealand expansion was announced in 2019 and comes 50 years after opening in neighbouring Australia. IKEA now operates in 64 markets around the world.
IKEA franchisee Ingka Group said the opening, which drew thousands of people, was special given New Zealand’s distance from Sweden. “It’s a real leap of faith, investment and friendship, showing we’re not just exporting a store, we’re planting roots for the long term, creating jobs, learning from local communities and tailoring our offer for Kiwi homes,” Retail Manager Tolga Oncu said in a statement.
© Thomson Reuters 2025 All rights reserved.
Ermenegildo “Gildo” Zegna, currently Group Chairman and CEO, will assume the role of Group Executive Chairman. In this capacity, he will focus on safeguarding the legacy and integrity of the Group’s three brands—ZEGNA, Thom Browne, and TOM FORD FASHION—while continuing to drive long-term value creation. He will also retain oversight of the Group’s Textile Division, the Group General Counsel’s office (including Internal Audit), and the External Relations department, which encompasses Sustainability, Investor Relations, and Corporate Communications.
Ermenegildo Zegna Group has announced a new leadership structure effective January 1, 2026.
Gildo Zegna will become group executive chairman, focusing on brand legacy and key corporate areas.
Gianluca Tagliabue will be appointed group CEO, while Edoardo and Angelo Zegna will become co-CEOs of the Zegna brand, leading brand strategy, product, and commercial performance.
Gianluca Tagliabue, currently Group Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of Group CEO subject to shareholders’ approval. Working in close partnership with the Group Executive Chairman, Mr. Tagliabue will be responsible for shaping and executing the Group’s long-term strategy, driving business performance across all brands, and further strengthening the integration of the Group’s corporate functions. He will also oversee manufacturing operations. The CEOs of the Group’s brands will report to him. Gian Franco Santhià, currently Group Control & Chief Accounting Officer, will be appointed as Group CFO, reporting to the Group CEO.
Edoardo and Angelo Zegna, members of the fourth generation of the Zegna family, will be appointed Co-CEOs of the ZEGNA brand. They will succeed Gildo Zegna, who has held this role for over 20 years. Edoardo Zegna, currently Chief Marketing and Digital Officer of ZEGNA as well as Group Chief Sustainability Officer, will lead all aspects of brand strategy, from brand image to marketing, and, together with ZEGNA’s Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori, design matters, including store design. Angelo Zegna, currently CEO of ZEGNA’s EMEA region and Global Client Strategy Director, will oversee product development, merchandising, and commercial strategy, driving performance across markets and channels.
Gildo Zegna, Chairman and CEO of the Ermenegildo Zegna Group, commented: “I am proud and excited about today’s announcement. One of the most important responsibilities of a leader is to think ahead—to prepare for the future and empower the next generation of leadership. This belief has always been deeply rooted in our family values and is a key force behind today’s announcement.
Together with the Board, I have asked Gianluca Tagliabue to assume the role of Group CEO. Over the past decade, Gianluca has been a cornerstone of our Group, leading the company through key transformations. The Ermenegildo Zegna Group is a custodian of authenticity. Gianluca embodies this philosophy and will support the CEOs of our brands in pursuing the Group’s mission as a trusted and forward-looking guide.
Edoardo and Angelo’s complementary strengths and clear vision will make them a highly effective team to lead ZEGNA brand. They continue the family legacy and have demonstrated their business leadership over the past years. Together, they will not only carry forward the brand’s timeless heritage, but strengthen it further.
As Executive Chairman, I will stand alongside our new leadership team and all our colleagues — a curious and passionate custodian of our brands’ vision and values, as I have always been. I will also continue to oversee the Group’s textile platform — where it all began. I am looking forward to shaping our Group’s next chapter with this new leadership team.”
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)
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